First Outing and I'm Stressed

My only additional item would be a bucket, water and a couple of sponges. Their poos can get a bit messy with the excitement of travelling and there is nothing worse than arriving with dirty hocks and nothing to clean them with.
Also wear over trousers and a top to cover your show gear until the last possible minute.

Personally I wouldn't have travelled mine in a bridle as she was a bit accident prone.

You are very fortunate to have your own trailer so can take as long as you want to do things. The more chilled you are the more relaxed your horse will be.

Have a great day out
 
I hope you have a wonderful day!! I wouldn't travel in a bridle. It may take a few mins to put on at the venue but if he gets caught up in the trailer that's another problem you will have to over come. I wouldn't get him straight off if he is settled. Maybe leave him a minute or 2 then calmly get him off. I stressed out big time taking my new tb out the first time, seven years ago. Need not have worried at all!!
 
Good luck. You need to make things as easy as possible. The people who are saying don’t travel in a bridle maynot have taken horses to shows on their own, Although it’s not recommended sometimes you have to do the sensible thing and l’ve recently decided it’s easier to travel a short distance ready to get out and go rather than stress out fiddling with stuff you’re worried about before you arrive.
 
Flowerofthefen said:
I hope you have a wonderful day!! I wouldn't travel in a bridle. It may take a few mins to put on at the venue but if he gets caught up in the trailer that's another problem you will have to over come.
Click to expand...


I have to disagree with this, I'm sorry. Dex is a very, very big horse and if he was to get upset at the showground it could be a disaster if ASBMO couldn't hold him in a headcollar. If he gets excited in the lorry it could be very difficult to get it on him and she might need to take him home without even unloading.

I know accidents with bits have happened in lorries but millions of journeys have been made with bitted horses with no issues. It's routine to travel hunters already tacked up, for example. With a headcollar fitted with the noseband low and tight enough to restrain the cheek pieces, and even the top of the bit rings, and a standard lorry setup, there should be no issues.
.
 
Last edited:
ycbm said:
I have to disagree with this, I'm sorry. Dex is a very, very big horse and if he was to get upset at the showground it could be a disaster if ASBMO couldn't hold him in a headcollar. If he gets excited in the lorry it could be very difficult to get it on him and she might need to take him home without even unloading.

I know accidents with bits have happened in lorries but millions of journeys have been made with bitted horses with no issues. It's routine to travel hunters already tacked up, for example. With a headcollar fitted with the noseband low enough to restrain the cheek pieces, and even the top of the bit rings, and a standard lorry setup, there should be no issues.
.
Click to expand...

This with bells on. Have helped lots with people taking young horses out and always went tacked up with a long but fitted headcollar securing bridle to head a little more.

Re post about breaking bridle, you can always take a spare!
 
Errin Paddywack said:
If you are worried about your weak ankles, can you wear ankle supports?
Click to expand...
Was readiing through the replies to see if anyone had suggested this and I see EP has already!! If you haven't got time now to buy ankle supports just use any sort of bandage - the last thing you want is to fall over with Dex and give him a bad experience at his first outing.
Good luck - hope to see some photos!!!
 
rextherobber said:
but you always get loads of help from other people, and he'll go on eventually...
Click to expand...

Remember he may be unwilling to load simply because he is tired. If we are taking a horse away for the first time, we always take a "pick me up" for them. It is amazing how an apple or a carrot can both relax them and give them a wee bit more energy. I would politely refuse any help unless it is someone you know and trust.
 
ycbm said:
I have to disagree with this, I'm sorry. Dex is a very, very big horse and if he was to get upset at the showground it could be a disaster if ASBMO couldn't hold him in a headcollar. If he gets excited in the lorry it could be very difficult to get it on him and she might need to take him home without even unloading.

I know accidents with bits have happened in lorries but millions of journeys have been made with bitted horses with no issues. It's routine to travel hunters already tacked up, for example. With a headcollar fitted with the noseband low and tight enough to restrain the cheek pieces, and even the top of the bit rings, and a standard lorry setup, there should be no issues.
.
Click to expand...
I don't mind if you disagree!! I've seen too many accidents that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I would pop bridle on before unloading. I have always travelled alone with a variety of horses and it's always worked for me.
 
Good luck, OP, but I’d never travel any horse in a bridle. Never underestimate the ability of a horse to get hooked up on things. A broken bridle is a p1ffling nuisance, a broken jaw isn’t.

And yes, I usually travel solo and have travelled various baby horses to their first shows, I’m not talking out of my backside.
 
Flowerofthefen said:
I don't mind if you disagree!! I've seen too many accidents that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I would pop bridle on before unloading. I have always travelled alone with a variety of horses and it's always worked for me.
Click to expand...


No worries, our experiences differ. "Pop" a bridle on isn't a word I could have used about bridling some horses who reacted unexpectedly to being at a show ground.
.
 
As far as bridle/no bridle goes, I'd pick whichever will leave you least stressed- if you will worry about him getting caught up on something, he's more likely to pick up on that and be sticky to load. On the other hand, if you will be anxious about getting the bridle on at the other end, that's likely to become a self-fulfilling prophesy.
I've done both and not had an issue, many people travel with and without bridles with no trouble so I'd just pick whichever you'll be most comfortable with.
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
Can anyone give me some tips on how to make Sunday easier, I am stressing a bit.

It will be Dex and I's first outing, it's just to a super small local show that is less than 10 miles away so should be local and sweet and quiet for him. I am doing an inhand class with him and the friend who is coming with me is doing the one after with him. Dex hasn't travelled since he arrived a year ago from Ireland, I have loaded him a few times and he's a dream and is a very easygoing chap all round. I am worried he's not going to travel well but no reason he shouldn't, I am a fairly novice tower too but will go super slow and considerately of course, or he's suddenly not going to load the other end for whatever reason.

I need to get a water container, put some bailing twine up, check lights work and go on a practise tow tomorrow. I would take him on a small run but I don't have anyone to come with me tomorrow, I have done a drive to the venue and back to suss it out.

I have written to take feed, lunge line, grooming kit, dressage whip, treats, lickit and water - plus clothes and shoes for humans. Anything else?

I'm sure it will be fine, I hope it will be! Do I travel him in his bridle? Do I leave him on the box for a while or get him straight off and have a look around? Should arrive 45 mins-ish before the class.
Click to expand...
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone! Have added bucket and sponge to the list, I would have also forgotten those, and I need to go to B&Q and get a water container!

I'm still undecided bridle vs no bridle, he has clips attached to his bit (yes I have check ok to wear, it's only a small local) which would snap long before there were any huge issues and I have a camera in the horse area, but also he is a big horse and if I need to get him off in a rush if he panicks then I'd have no hope in a headcollar of keeping him contained. That being said I am fairly confident he will be alright.

I am planning on wearing long boots and an ankle support to try and not fall, I rolled my ankle once yesterday helping them set up the show and twice more today, it's honestly useless!

He's had a bath today (and turned out naked so no doubt will have to bathe again tomorrow), I've taken the trailer on another pracise run, put the bailing twine in, loaded him and shut the doors to practise, packed what I need to pack so hopefully I am all good and prepared. I will post a photo here tomorrow if it all goes well!
 
Smogul said:
Remember he may be unwilling to load simply because he is tired. If we are taking a horse away for the first time, we always take a "pick me up" for them. It is amazing how an apple or a carrot can both relax them and give them a wee bit more energy. I would politely refuse any help unless it is someone you know and trust.
Click to expand...
In my experience, it was impossible to stop people from "helping", despite my saying she absolutely would kick them. But mine just doesn't want to leave the party yet, she's not a bad loader .
 
I have a weak ankle and if I were doing an in-hand show I would wear my lace up boots as I can get the laces tight enough to give a bit of extra support. I preferred to use a Newmarket chain & a lead rope, rather than reins, I found it easier to manage especially when running. If you think your horse might get a bit excited you could put a knot at the free end of your lead rope to help you hang on.
A local show is a great place to start, most people are quite understanding if you tell them it's your first outing. Mine nearly flattened the judge at our first show, but she knew it was the first so she was ready to leap out of the way!
 
rextherobber said:
In my experience, it was impossible to stop people from "helping", despite my saying she absolutely would kick them. But mine just doesn't want to leave the party yet, she's not a bad loader .
Click to expand...

I HATE this, if I want help, I will ask for it.

Peregrine Falcon said:
Hot clothing tomorrow morning. I bath the day before, smother and brush in canter coat gloss then take out for a walk before turning back out!

All the best for tomorrow.
Click to expand...
I will do this, thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top